A single specimen of the Chinese longhorned beetle (not the Asian long horned beetle) was detected in Minnesota. This is a wood boring beetle originally from Asia that attacks a long list of tree species.

The specimen was recovered in a USDA APHIS PPQ lindgren funnel trap in June 2010 in Minneapolis (near University Ave. & 280) as part of an early detection bark beetle program survey. The location is in a heavy industrial area surrounded by residential areas.

On November 18, MDA and USDA APHIS PPQ staff visited the site to notify the property owner, obtain trace back and trace forward information and conduct a visual survey for signs of infestation at the business and surrounding area.

In this survey, we visually inspected crab apple trees (an abundant preferred host for this pest) in about a 0.5 mile radius of the trap in which the beetle was captured. None of the 76 crab apple trees inspected showed signs of infestation.

Currently, we characterize this find as a hitchhiker from solid wood packing material (SWPM) distribution and not established in the environs; however, we plan to conduct delimiting trapping around the site next season and to follow up on trace back and trace forward information for other potential survey sites.  If you notice signs of wood borer damage (large emergence holes, peeling bark, and accumulation of frass/sawdust at bases of trees and in branch crotches) on apple, crab apple or mulberry, please contact the MDA's arrest-the-pest hotline: